Joe Sugg and Stacey Dooley are currently the favourites to lift Strictly’s coveted glitterball trophy, but there is a surprise coming for the bookies, according to judge Shirley Ballas.

Speaking to the BBC’s One Show, the 58-year-old Queen of Latin hinted at an upset in the show’s grand finale, although she stopped short of naming the celebrity that she believed would actually walk away with the trophy.

She said: “I think it’s a really level playing field.”

Presenter Angela Scanlon urged Shirley to commit to a prediction of the winner, but all she would say was “I do feel it might be an unexpected result, so that much I’ll give you.”

Shirley refused to be drawn on her own tip for the winner
(Image: ITV)